The Marine's Red Hot Homecoming Read Free Page A

financial legacy for his younger brothers while they finished up their boot camp training period.
    “I hate that you’re going back, but I’m not surprised,” she said. “But you know what they say about fourth tours.”
    Concern underscored her firm tone. He didn’t like hearing either emotion and fought to reassure her, and maybe himself, too. “I’m not planning on coming home in a body bag. So you and Jason are permanently stuck with me.”
    She blinked and inhaled a sharp breath. “Good to hear, but you can’t guarantee that promise. You know damn well that there are other issues that people drag home from the fields of battle. For every family that stands together, there’s two that fall apart.”
    The sudden sheen in her eyes nearly undid him. Memories of the night he’d caved to her not-so-secret crush on him slipped through his mental guard. He had wanted to comfort Hannah after she had told him about her craptastic ex-boyfriend’s bullshit behavior. The bastard had been a jerk toward her inside and outside the bedroom after he’d returned from a tour in Iraq. When she’d gone to him two weeks before his cousin Kennedy’s wedding to Zach Tanner, he’d heard everything she’d said about how her ex had self destructed. He’d hugged her, hoping to reassure her that she’d be okay. But Caleb’s attraction to Hannah had grown over the years, and his brotherly-style hug had quickly transformed into so much more.
    What had happened between them had been amazing. Explosive and emotionally intense. He had wanted to believe in the trust she’d given, the love that had been whispered in the dark. But she only whispered those words to try to hold him in Sweetbriar Springs. She’d attempted to stop him from going overseas, and had asked him to examine why he really wanted to risk his neck for his country when he had the chance to run his family’s multi-billion-dollar conglomerate of companies’ legacy.
    Hannah once had the power to render him weak. Now, standing in front of her and reading the unspoken concern in her answering gaze, a part of him yearned to make her realize he was the man she could count on to be there for her in the future. But he’d blown it when he’d left her after that night. By the time his cousin got hitched to Zach, he’d already signed on for another dangerous mission with the Marines. One that would keep him in deep cover for two years with no way for anyone to contact him unless it was his commanding officer.
    Even now he didn’t intend to stay stateside when he returned to Sweetbriar Springs to takeover Gibson Technologies’ helm while his father recuperated. But he’d make every effort to change her mind about being hooked up with him.
    ###
    Hannah waited several tense beats for Caleb to speak, her throat tight and her heart thumping against her sternum. How could he act glib and nonchalant about the reality of the dangers facing him overseas?
    He looked away, then back into her eyes. “I can guarantee that our son will always have my protection and support whether I’m dead or alive. I’ll make sure my lawyers cover all the financial bases.”
    “Funny.” She hugged her waist. “You never wanted the Gibson money or the responsibilities that went with it. I remember you vehemently denying your birthright two years ago.”
    “What I didn’t want was to become a carbon copy of my father. Still don’t.” He scrubbed his hand through his close-cropped military hair. “But Jason should have what he rightfully deserves. No way will he be denied his birthright.”
    God. Her chest ached, and the ball in her esophagus grew larger. His focus on the financial practicalities rather than the emotional ramifications contradicted his claim that he refused to walk in his father’s footsteps. Which, the more she’d thought about it over the past two years, she realized Caleb taking off for Afghanistan instead of facing his father head on mirrored his father’s behavior.